MUSKEGON -- Ricky Lee Farmer of Muskegon faces a felony trial for allegedly climbing into the window of a Norton Shores motel room to assault his girlfriend.

After a preliminary examination Monday afternoon, Farmer, 36, of 338 Mason, was bound over for trial on a charge of first-degree home invasion. Ordinarily, that's a 20-year felony, but Farmer faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison because he's charged as a fourth-time habitual offender.

Muskegon County 60th District Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes found probable cause that Farmer committed the crime and ordered him to stand trial in 14th Circuit Court.

The alleged break-in happened around 4:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Seaway Motel, 631 W. Norton. Norton Shores police said Farmer entered the woman's first-floor room by climbing in a window, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her outside.

Chronicle file photoDistrict Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes

The two had been romantically involved for about eight months, but the woman recently had been staying at the motel, police said.

Farmer is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Court records show Farmer has prior felony convictions for carrying a concealed weapon in 2000 and 1994 and for delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance less than 50 grams in 1999, all in Muskegon County.